Undergraduate Sources of Assistance
The University awards hundreds of different grants and scholarships from a variety of sources including federal, state, and private entities. Every student has individual characteristics that determine their eligibility for specific awards. Listed here are the most common grant and scholarship opportunities available for undergraduate students at Bradley. If you want information about an award that is not described here, please email us.
Bradley Grant
A combination of factors are considered when making these university-funded awards including a student's academic performance, FAFSA results, and eligibility for other grants and scholarships. Awards vary and can change from year-to-year. The Bradley Grant requires a 2.0 grade average for renewal. To be eligible for this grant requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges.
Caterpillar Employee Dependents Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to dependent children of Caterpillar employees, retirees, and deceased employees. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. Renewal is subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement.
Dean's Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen during the review of their admission applications. Initial eligibility criteria may vary from one year to the next as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. This is an eight semester award subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement.
Legacy Scholarship
These $1,500 annual awards recognize academically-talented students who have siblings that attend Bradley, or who have siblings, parents or grandparents who have a degree from Bradley. Eligibility is determined at the time of application for admission. Recipients must remain in good academic standing for renewal. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. This is an eight semester award subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement.
Phi Theta Kappa
Beginning fall of 2020, transfer students qualifying for a transfer scholarship who have been recognized for academic performance through membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society receive an award of $1000. Eligibility is determined at the time of application for admission. TTo be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. Renewal is subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement. This scholarship is typically awarded for a maximum of four semesters.
Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen during the review of their admission applications. Initial eligibility criteria may vary from one year to the next as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. This is an eight semester award subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement.
Presidential Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship is automatically awarded to new transfer students who have earned a minimum of 24 transferable semester hours and 3.25/4.0 GPA from an accredited college or university. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. Renewal is subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement. This scholarship is typically awarded for a maximum of four semesters.
Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship is automatically awarded to new transfer students who have earned a minimum of 24 transferable semester hours and 3.0/4.0 GPA from an accredited college or university. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. Renewal is subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement. This scholarship is typically awarded for a maximum of four semesters.
University Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria including academics, leadership, activities, and community service. University Scholars usually rank in the top 25% and have ACT or SAT scores consistent with classroom performance. To be eligible for this scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester) and can only be applied to on campus residential tuition charges. This is an eight semester award subject to meeting the renewal GPA requirement.
College Work Study
Students with limited family resources as determined by the results of the FAFSA are provided this federally-funded opportunity to earn "spending money" through part-time, on-campus employment. Students typically work 8 to 10 hours per week at minimum wage earning about $1800 per year. Paychecks are issued bi-weekly. Click here for more information. Eligibility for work-study does not guarantee you will find a campus job. However, at the beginning of the Fall Semester, students are encouraged to attend the annual Part-time Job Fair sponsored by the Smith Career Center. The Center also posts jobs for students wishing to work who are not eligible for College Work Study.
Pell Grant & FSEOG
Students with very limited family resources are awarded either or both of these federally-funded grants. Eligibility is determined annually by the FAFSA. Pell Grants can range in value from $767 to $7395. FSEOG awards can be as high as $4,000 per year. If you were determined to meet the eligibility criteria, your grant would be identified as Federal Pell Grant or Federal SEOG on your award notification. Click here for more information on the Pell Grant. Click here for more information on FSEOG.
State of IL MAP Grant
This state-funded grant program is available to qualified Illinois students attending in-state colleges and universities based upon FAFSA results. Grants range from $1680 to $8400 per year. Eligibility is determined using a formula prescribed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and the MAP Estimator can be used to estimate your max award. The MAP Grant is restricted to tuition only.
If your award notification includes this source of assistance, the amount of grant is based on a 15 credit hour per semester course load. Semester enrollments of less than 15 credit hours will result in a proportionate reduction of award amounts. For example, your annual MAP Grant for semester enrollments of 12 hours will be 20% less than shown on this notification.
2024-2025 Map Awards
By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.
The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a "State of IL MAP Grant (Est)". Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.
There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of full-time enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org.
Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163 or www.ilhunger.org.
2023-2024 Map Awards
By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria.
The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a "State of IL MAP Grant (Est)". Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible.
There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of full-time enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org.
Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163 or www.ilhunger.org.